Thrift Store Finds-The time I went to Black Market

Whenever I'm downtown Toronto, I always make a point to go to two stores-Black Market and Tribal Rhythms on Queen West. For some reason, I've always had really good luck at both of these stores, and Tribal Rhythms was the first store I ever bought a thrifted item at, so it holds a special place in my heart.

But today's post is about a time I went to Black Market and walked out with a jacket....in the middle of summer.

I swear I'm not crazy, I just like thinking ahead!

Black Market is a great store, but it's located underground. To get there you go down a set of really cool steps and you're in the store. The store also leases some property to a CD/record place, and to a barber shop. Excluding those two places, everything in the store is $10 or less.
I was browsing the racks of Black Market when I came upon this beautiful jacket. It was plain black, and made of a heavier material, which I knew would be perfect for fall. It also fit perfectly, which I wasn't expecting at all! Most times when I go thrifting, I have to take stuff in, or shorten something. This fit like a dream. However, it was a bit too basic, even for me and my all-black wardrobe (okay, there's stripes in there too) . I wasn't going to pass up that jacket though, especially not for $10! You can't get a good quality jacket at those prices anyone. I decided that I was going to jazz up the jacket, just to add a touch of 'me' to it.

I continued down Queen West until I got to a craft store. This store sells the most amazing buttons! I've gotten so many good ones from there before to update other jackets as well. My eyes settled on some beautiful black buttons with a gold rim. I decided that I was going to buy those buttons and add them to my jacket.

Going home, I realized that there was only one buttonhole on my jacket, so I made my own. I didn't worry too much about the stitching because I knew it would end up being covered by the buttons. It took me about an hour of patiently cutting and sewing, but my jacket ended up looking beautiful!

The jacket in all its glory!

The total cost of this project- $10 for the jacket, $12 for buttons= $22 in total for a brand new jacket that no one else will have!

It still is a bit basic, but it's a basic that I can wear with anything and that will last in my wardrobe for a long time.

The Tale of the 7-shot Latte (and a recipe for a Green Tea Latte)

This is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down.

...

Okay, maybe not my life, but definitely my day.

It was the morning of my 23rd birthday, and I remembered that I had a Starbucks birthday freebie to redeem. For those of you who have never redeemed a birthday freebie at Starbucks before, you can get any drink you want, in any size with any additional add ones, like syrups and soy milk- for free! Of course, this can get pretty crazy, with people ordering some crazy drinks like this one.

While my birthday freebie wasn't that extravagant, I may have forgotten that lattes already come with a pre-determined number of espresso shots. I ordered a venti soy Pumpkin Spice latte....with 4 extra espresso
shots.

A nice photo....before the caffeine rush

You may be thinking to yourself 'What the HECK?! Who needs that much espresso in one morning coffee?'

I had a good reason, I promise!! Not only was I suffering from lack of sleep (I had gotten maybe two hours the night before, and four hours the night before that), I was also up early to teach (at the time I was teaching one of the highest energy groups there is-a kindergarten class) AND I wasn't going to be home until late that evening. Clearly that latte was needed.

I stretched out that latte from the first bell of the day to the last bell, and it was one of the most energetic days of my life! The kids definitely thought 'Miss M' was a bit crazier than normal.

However a week after the crazy latte, and many coffees after, I started to need more and more just to get me through the day. In an effort to both spend less money and make use of my giant tea collection, I started alternating days I had coffee with homemade tea lattes.

I started making my own green tea lattes, which aren't as hard as I thought. My first few attempts were downright disastrous, and it took a few tries, but I finally made one I liked and I didn't have to go out and buy any fancy equipment!

My version is definitely a lot less sweeter than any kind you would buy in stores, and doesn't look as fancy without whipped cream or frothy milk (ahem, Starbucks, I'm lookin' at you!), but I find that it brings out the taste of the green tea powder a lot better, and is a LOT better for your waistline!

Green Tea Latte (makes one large mugful)

Ingredients 

1/4 cup hot water
1tsp matcha (green tea powder- I really love using David's Tea Matcha but I find the varieties found in Asian supermarkets to do just fine for everyday)
1/2 tsp cinnamon, plus more for garnish
3/4 cup 2% milk, heated (you can substitute for skim milk, or a non-dairy milk like soy or coconut. I find almond milk doesn't work as well or green tea lattes)
sweetener, to taste
whipped cream, optional

• In your mug, whisk together the hot water, the matcha and the cinnamon until it is fully blended into the water and there are no clumps to be seen. (I have a mini whisk that does the job well but there are actual bamboo whisks made for this purpose)
• While continuously whisking, slowly pour in your milk
• Whisk in your sweetener
• Top with whipped cream and additional cinnamon for garnish

Enjoy!

The Mystery Brand reveal-Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser

In my last post, I mentioned that I had gotten a #mysterybrand sample box of shampoo, conditioner and hair serum from Influenster.

Fast forward to this week, and I found out that the brand I had received was one I wasn't actually expecting- it was Garnier!

I had received a missed mail package notice, and I figured that even though they could fit one hair care product into the mailbox, they were being safe. It wasn't just one product.

Hello entire Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser hair care line, I wasn't expecting you!

I definitely wasn't expecting that.


I was a bit surprised by the mystery brand, because most products that I buy are usually from The Body Shop, or meant for seriously thick hair, but I loved how this line of products made my hair look feel and smell! I never considered my hair damaged, but Garnier Damage Eraser definitely undid some damage, and provided some much needed TLC for my dry winter hair.

It's a line of products I will definitely buy again.

Influenster VoxBox-Mystery hair products

Yesterday I received a box in the mail. Usually when I get boxes in the mail, it's one of two things: a) I got an order of books or b) another box of freebies has arrived!!

This particular box came from a company called Influenster. I qualified for their L'Oreal Mystery VoxBox.

(Cute packaging!)

What is cool about this is that I won't know the brand of the products inside until next week.

The VoxBox contained three containers, one each of shampoo, conditioner, and split-end repairing serum. All three products were designed to battle distressed, damaged hair, which I have. They smell *amazing*!! They all smell sweetly floral, but not overwhelmingly so.

I couldn't wait until the weekend to try one of these babies out, so I washed my hair. Besides smelling amazing, the shampoo and conditioner work together seamlessly. After I towel-dried, I put the serum in my hair. I'm still waiting for it to dry, but my thick, unruly hair....well it's still thick, but not as unruly as before.

VoxBox, we have a winning combination!

Choconut-Cinnabon Bread Pudding

Two posts in a day! This is called trying to catch up, which I am not adept at doing.

A few weeks ago, I went out for my birthday with a few friends. I split a dish of chocolate bread pudding with a friend...and it was the most delicious bread pudding I have ever had.

Birthday girl with birthday bread pudding!

Until I had another craving and decided to make my own.

I made this under the guise of sharing with friends, but I still had half a dish leftover for myself!

I searched for easy recipes, because I had never made bread pudding by myself, and came across this one from The Kitchn-Coconut Milk Bread Pudding

As an avid fan of coconut milk (I always have at least one can in the pantry at any given time), I thought this bread pudding sounded delicious....except for the fact that I didn't have candied ginger, pistachios or jaggery. However, I did have chocolate chips, chopped walnuts and brown sugar. I also had Cinnabon bread. The combination of them all sounded delicious to me!

I followed the cooking directed of the recipe, but used my own substitutions

Choconut-Cinnabon Bread Pudding (adapted from The Kitchn, serves 6-8)

Ingredients:
butter-flavoured cooking spray
6-7 slices Cinnabon Bread, toasted and torn into bite-size pieces
1/4-1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, but oh so delicious!)
1/4 cup chocolate chips (to keep it dairy-free, use carob chips instead of chocolate chips)
1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
3 large eggs
3/4 brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

• Preheat oven to 325°.
• Spray a 9x7 or 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the bread pieces in the dish and evenly sprinkle the walnuts and chopcolate chips on top.
• In another bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, eggs, sugar, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla extract and salt.
• Pour the coconut milk mixture over the bread, pressing down with a spoon or fork to make sure all the bread gets soaked.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until set. The center should spring back when lightly touched.
• Let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.

DIY jewellery hanger

I can't believe it's been over a year since my last update. Between family, travelling and teacher's college, I've had no time.

However, I have been upto many things, including this DIY.

I haves lot of jewellery. I mean, a LOT. People give me jewellery as gifts, especially necklaces, and because they were never hung up properly, I occupied never remember which ones I had.

I came across this deceptively simple jewellery hanger from Lovelieshares, and just knew it would fit perfectly into my room. It's subtle enough that it would go with my wood decor and showcase my necklaces, but still adds a touch of glam to my dull, un-painted bedroom.

I knew I had paint, but I wasn't sure if I had primer, or even a wooden hanger. I definitely did not have hooks. I ended up making a trip down to Canadian Tire where I got a two-pack of wooden hangers for $1, and Walmart where I got two 8-packs of 1/2" bronze cup hooks.

Instead of using primer, I used 3 coats of a spray-on gold paint. I laid the hangers on big plastic bags in my backyard, and let them air-dry for an hour in between coats.

I then drilled small holes into my hanger, and screwed my cup hooks into the holes.

After the hangers were painted, dried and screwed, I layered my necklaces onto my hanger.

The finished product!

 

 



An apology and a Sneak-Attack Breakfast Smoothie

It's been almost a full year since I've made this blog...and I've done absolutely nothing with it. You know that saying, "When life gives you lemons make lemonade"? Well that is exactly what I've been doing, minus the posting-about-making-my-lemonade bit. I've been studying, working, spending time with friends..and cooking. A lot. And not posting about it.
When I first made this blog, I thought it would give me a good kick in the butt to actually catalogue what I've been making, even on a once-a-week basis or something small. Well, when you let life in the way, even that once a week seems like too long to put energy into. But I've made a goal to actually start taking photos, and writing down recipes and finally putting them put. So, starting next week, I will be trying to upload on a once-a-week basis, if not more.

A short recipe to start us off-my breakfast smoothies.

Let it just be said that I love my veggies. Except my leafy greens. They don't feel substantial enough to constitue a serving, and yet I continually buy them. Why? To put into breakfast of course Blending up a cup or two of leafy greens like kale, spinach and swiss chard ensures that I get at least SOME nutritional value during breakfast that doesn't come in my multivitamin. Throw in some soy milk, half an avocado, some cocoa powder (because everything is better with chocolate, right?) and some honey, agave or palm sugar, and you've got a sneak-attack of healthy fats, fibre, and protein in a delicious avocado smoothie! My friends who I tell this to all turn up their noses is disgust, but avocado smoothies are actually quite popular in many places. I just upped the ante by making it a bit healthier than usual.

Sneak-Attack Breakfast Smoothie (makes 1 big Magic Bullet mug full or two small servings)

(*note that I currently use a Magic Bullet for my smoothies, which doesn't get the job done as well as I'd like. If you have a proper blender or a Vitamix, this would be perfect to use it. This is also an easy recipe to double, and if you don't have all of the ingredients, it's really easy to switch them up! I sometimes throw in berries or a banana as well, whatever happens to be in season)

1-2 cups of leafy greens ( I use the boxed mixes that have at least some spinach, you can sub in whatever you like best)
1 cup of soy milk, divided
1/2 a Hass avocado, pitted and cut into chunks
1-2 Tbs of cocoa powder (optional)
1-2 tsp of honey, agave, palm sugar or sweetener of choice (optional)

-In your blender, blend the greens with 1/2 of the soy milk for about 30 seconds or so, or until you see a nice thin green paste being formed. Sometimes you may have to divide up the leafy greens into batches to get the optimal blend.
-Add the remaining ingredients and blend to your desired consistency.
-Drink!